MARQUETTE — The American College of Cardiology has recognized UP Health System-Marquette for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. UPHS-M was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI in October based on onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack, according to a press release from the hospital.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have atypical symptoms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, unusual tiredness, heartburn-like feeling, nausea or vomiting, sudden dizziness and fainting.

Percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI, is also known as coronary angioplasty. It is a non-surgical procedure that opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon to relieve symptoms of heart disease or reduce heart damage during or after a heart attack.

Hospitals that have earned the accreditation have proven “exceptional competency” in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI available 24/7 every day of the year, according to the release.

As required by the accreditation, they have streamlined their systems from admission to post-discharge care and recommendations and assistance in patient lifestyle changes. In addition, they have formal agreements with other facilities that regularly refer heart attack patients to their facility for primary PCI.

“This accomplishment not only supports our mission at UPHS-M of making communities healthier but also exemplifies the hard work and dedication all the employees put forth to provide the people of the U.P. with top-quality heart care,” said Joseph Ackerman, UPHS-M’s STEMI/Chest Pain Coordinator.